Nothing But Net

Takumi blew the crowd away when he said that during the years he cared for the musical genius's guitars, both on stage and off, Prince never once broke a string while playing. You heard it right: NEVER. Takumi credits this to Prince's incredible "finesse" as a guitar player.

And remember that unforgettable night in 2004 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony when Prince was to play a short guitar solo during fellow (posthumous) inductee George Harrison's "My Guitar Gently Weeps"? Takumi said Prince joined one rehearsal where he played through the song once and dutifully stayed within his allotted number of bars, but afterwards Prince pulled Takumi aside and explained that he had something else in mind. That something else was a lengthy guitar solo that burned itself into our minds and hearts and will forever be remembered as that time Prince showed the world how a guitar should be played.

As for his much-loved Hohner guitar that magically disappeared into the heavens? Per explicit instructions from Prince, Takumi stood in the front row and caught the guitar...and then promptly handed it to Oprah Winfrey. Prince was known to toss many a guitar over the years but this one deserves its own place in the R&R Hall of Fame. And I'll bet Takumi never dropped a guitar even once in all those years.

After he tosses the guitar and just before he exits the stage with his Princely confidence you can see him cast a quick glance in the direction of his faithful and beloved guitar tech.

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The Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson is not affiliated, associated, or connected with People of Paisley Park, nor has it endorsed or sponsored People of Paisley Park. Further, the Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson has not licensed any of its intellectual property to People of Paisley Park.